MDBCD 05

Abel Claren.

The son of a minor viscount with no land—someone with nothing remarkable about him.

Around this time in her past life, she had been subjected to constant harassment by Abel. That harassment only stopped when the war broke out and conscription papers were sent out.

In other words, she was originally going to be tormented by this man for years to come.

That was how it should have been.

“You went to treat a patient at a count’s house nearby yesterday, didn’t you? Help your poor older brother out a little. If I strike it big, I’ll pay you back double.”

Lying on the floor and grinning, Abel spread both arms theatrically as he shouted.

Fortunately, they were renting a place tucked away in a corner because they had no money.

If they had been in the city center, his behavior—completely disregarding who might be listening—would have spread rumors that she was a woman.

“How long are you planning to live so pathetically?”

“Oh, ‘pathetic,’ is it? Your older brother has just been a bit unlucky. But since I’ve met my little sister again… maybe I’m lucky after all?”

A faint glint passed through Abel’s dull eyes.

Even when seen again, he was impressively sharp—in all the worst ways.

Abel had waited until she got a job and then showed up to demand money from her.

He extorted her treatment fees under the name of “professional fees,” then wasted it all at horse races and gambling houses in the port city.

Abel’s existence itself was clear proof that she had stolen a professional title, so Ibel had no choice but to give him money.

“All I have right now is this.”

Ibel took out an envelope of money from the drawer and threw it.

Abel caught it, sniffed it, and smiled broadly.

“Good, good. This will do. But prepare more next time. You still owe me for the bar tab.”

…Should I just put a bullet in that light mouth of his?

She barely managed to hold onto her reason, which had nearly flown away without a trace, and leaned against the window, watching Abel as he left while chuckling.

“Even if I live the same way as before, I’ll just get conscripted and dragged off anyway…”

Suddenly, she remembered something the duke had said just before she died.

“Getting married and becoming a good husband isn’t a bad thing. Taking care of a family… living like everyone else.”

Maybe she had posted that notice in order to follow those words.

Or perhaps it was a miracle granted by God so she could try living that way. She didn’t particularly believe in religion, though.

After thinking for a long time, Ibel took out an old travel bag as the sun began to set. She neatly packed various tools, then took out the money she had hidden in a secret compartment and counted it coin by coin.

It pained her that Abel had taken her treatment fee, but she always set aside 10% for situations like this.

The problem now was…

“Where exactly am I supposed to go to apply for that notice?”

A small problem was resolved the next day by a newspaper advertisement.

The ad consisted of nothing but Morse code, with no explanation at all. Truly a move worthy of that person.

Ibel naturally deciphered the code.

“Konrad von Eberstein. Lichten Linden Street, number 12. Postal code 10013…”

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the name “Konrad.”

‘So that’s it. He’s still alive at this point.’

Now that she knew where to go, she decided to leave before Abel came looking for her again.

Locking the door firmly and grabbing her bag, Ibel did not look back.

Just as the duke had done, she too took a step forward to change her fate.

“Do you think the person we’re looking for will really decipher this and come here?”

A few days after the strange notice released in Bavaria had stirred the capital.

In a secluded residence in the capital belonging to the duke.

Only a small number of people knew of this secret place: the duke himself, his most trusted aide Matthias, and Colonel Konrad von Eberstein, who had long been loyal.

Normally, the place was empty, with no one maintaining it.

But today, two shadows stretched beneath the window.

Just before sunset, watching the sky burn red, Victor spoke quietly.

“She will come.”

“Could you at least tell me what kind of person she is, and where you met her? I don’t understand any of this. Publicly, you’re supposed to be in your territory, but in reality, you rushed to the capital…”

He had come to meet an old comrade who had walked with him through something worse than a nightmare.

Not the kind of sentiment he would say out loud—and even if he did, no one would believe it.

“No.”

Victor cut off his aide’s complaints and turned his gaze to the yarrow and dandelions growing thick along the path.

A few minutes later, someone appeared beyond the gently swaying grass.

Hair the color of pale platinum, glowing with the red light of sunset. Long, fine eyelashes and full lips.

Amber eyes that reminded one of the midsummer sun.

Every time he saw her gritting her teeth to save lives amid falling ash like snow, the same thought crossed his mind.

That he might be drawn in.

‘She really came.’

As soon as that thought ended, Matthias began making a fuss.

“Oh? H-hey! Someone actually came! But… it looks like a boy! The hair is short!”

“Escort her inside properly.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Confused, Matthias hurried down, and Victor waited quietly.

Ordinary people could not read Morse code. Only those connected to the military could.

There was a risk the hideout would be discovered, but once the goal was achieved, it would be discarded anyway.

And this wasn’t even wartime.

Reuniting with Abel was worth more than any single safe house.

Moreover, what he had published in the newspaper wasn’t standard Morse code.

It was a system created by the Bavarian army during wartime.

‘They must be scrambling to decode it by now.’

It wouldn’t be easy.

It was devised by a soldier with frightening talent in cryptography.

“Hello. I’m here to apply for the position of contracted duchess.”

The voice coming from the open doorway was calm and steady. Still that indifferent tone—Victor couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Even though he was not someone who smiled often.

“At this point, you shouldn’t be able to read Morse code. A mere physician wouldn’t know the cipher used by the Bavarian army.”

“….”

“If you hadn’t come, I would have had to use another method. But that won’t be necessary.”

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

Her voice was as cold as the air—someone who could bring autumn into the heat just by speaking.

Turning slowly, Victor saw her—far thinner and more fragile than in his memories.

From the hem of her pants upward, the light of the setting sun gradually painted her entire body in a warm reddish-brown glow.

As she took a firm step forward, memories he had tried to forget came vividly back to life.

“I couldn’t believe it for a day or so. Was it the same for you?”

“Yes. Seeing that Your Grace also returned safely… it seems I haven’t gone completely mad.”

They had died together—and returned to the past at the same time.

This was neither a dream nor an illusion.

What stronger proof could there be than each other?

“Bavarian Grand Duchy Autonomous Corps, Medical Corps Second Lieutenant Abel Claren. I report my safe return.”

Her salute—right hand clenched into a fist and placed over her left chest—was unique to the Bavarian Autonomous Corps.

Out of a force of fifty thousand, only twelve survived to the very end.

She was one of the survivors who endured on the front lines until the end.

This is really happening.

Ibel muttered inwardly as she lifted her glass.